Cabinet construction

ABSTRACT

A cabinet construction formed of an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side. At least one drawer is slidably mounted in the enclosure for movement through the front side. The drawer has a generally vertical front wall. A drawer pull is mounted on the front wall of the door and extends laterally of the drawer. The drawer pull has a forwardly extending portion extending forwardly from the front surface of the front wall and a downwardly depending portion adjoining the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion. A forwardly extending portion has a recess formed therein extending transversely of the drawer. An insert is mounted in the recess and has printed indicia thereon. A decorative trim is mounted on the frontal portions of the side walls. The decorative trim has a base portion and a forwardly extending portion. The base portion has a vertical planar portion flush with the surface of the wall on which it is mounted. The forwardly extending portion has a planar vertical surface extending at right angles to the vertical surfaces on said base portion. The forwardly extending portion has an arcuate surface extending from said planar vertical surface on said base portion to the planar vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion.

United States Paten Inhelder 1 [451 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] CABINET CONSTRUCTION [72] Inventor: Allen E. Inhelder, Palo Alto, Calif.

[73] Assignee: J. W. Cross Co., Palo Alto, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 70,241

' [52] U.S.Cl. ..312/234 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 81/00, B42f 21/00 [58] Field of Search.....3 12/234 T, 204; 16/150, 124; 52/208, 211, 212

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,713,531 7/1955 Boone ..312/234.3 X 3,007,213 11/1961 Hobbs ..52/288 3,075,235 1/1963 Albinson 16/159 3,287,867 11/1966 Aton ..52/288 3,338,649 8/1967 Stewart ..312/234 X 3,107,389 10/1963 Engelbrecht ..16/124 2,155,128 4/1939 Gray ..312/204 X 3,298,764 l/l967 Goldfab ..312/204 3,377,115 4/1968 Hansen et a1. ..312/204 X 2,968,519 l/1961 Weber 312/204 3,262,747 7/1966 Kotzek et al ..3 l2/234.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 769,347 10/1967 Canada ..52/288 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney-Flehr, l-lohbach, Test, Albritton & Herbert [S 7] ABSTRACT A cabinet construction formed of an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open frontside. At least one drawer is slidably mounted in the enclosure for movement through the front side. The drawer has a generally vertical front wall. A drawer pull is mounted on the front wall of the door and extends laterally of the drawer. The drawer pull has a forwardly extending portion extending forwardly from the front surface of the front wall and a downwardly depending portion adjoining the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion. A forwardly extending portion has a recess formed therein extending transversely of the drawer. An insert is mounted in the recess and has printed indicia thereon. A decorative trim is mounted on the frontal portions of the side walls. The decorative trim has a base portion and a forwardly extending portion. The base portion has a vertical planar portion flush with the surface of the wall on which it is mounted. The forwardly extending portion has a planar vertical surface extending at right angles to the vertical surfaces on said base portion. The forwardly extending portion has an arcuate surface extending from said planar vertical surface on said base portion to the planar vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 35F 25 I972 3 6 94, 047

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR.

Allen E. lnhelder 2&4 W 24 z fiorneys PAIENTEDsms m2 3.694.047 SHEET 2 UF 2 I INVENTOR.

E. Inhelder BY Allen W Attorneys CABINET CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The cabinet construction consists of an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls and parallel spaced top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side. At least one drawer is slidably mounted in the enclosure for movement through the front side. The drawer has a generally vertical front wall. A drawer pull is mounted in the front wall and extends laterally of the drawer. The drawer pull has a forwardly extending portion extending forwardly from the front surface of the front'wall of the drawer and a downwardly depending portion adjoining the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion. The forwardly extending portion has a recess formed therein extending transversely of the drawer. An insert which is adapted to be color coded and have printed indicia carried thereby is mounted in the recess. A decorative trim is mounted on the frontal portions of the side walls. The trim has a base portion and a forwardly extending portion. The base portion has a vertical planar portion flush with the outer surface of the wall on which it is mounted. The forwardly extending portion has a planar vertical surface extending at right angles to the vertical surface on said base portion. The base portion and the forwardly extending portion have an arcuate surface which extends from the planar vertical surface on said base portion to the planar vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet construction which has a very aesthetic appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cabinet construction of the above character in which the drawer pulls which are utilized have a very aesthetic appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cabinet construction of the above character in which the drawer pulls also serve to carry inserts which are adapted to be color coded and have printed indicia thereon to indicate the contents of the drawer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cabinet construction of the above character in which the inserts add to the aesthetic appearance.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. -1 is an isometric view of a cabinet construction incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cabinet construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the portion of the cabinet encircled by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cabinet construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The cabinet construction shown in the drawings consists of an enclosure 11 which has a pair of spaced parallel side walls 12 and 13, a pair of spaced top and bottom walls 14 and 16, a rear wall 17 and an open front side. The enclosure 11 is formed of any suitable material; for example, it can be formed of a plywood with a suitable veneer such as a walnut veneer. The top wall of the enclosure can serve as a counter and if it is to be used for this purpose, it may be desirable to have the top wall formed of a suitable material such as Formica.

At least one drawer and normally a plurality of drawers are mounted in the enclosure 11 for slidable movement through the front side of the enclosure 11. Thus, in the embodiment of the cabinet shown in the drawings, three drawers 21, 22 and 23 have been provided with the drawer 21 being the shallowest, the drawer 22 having an intermediate depth, and the drawer 23 being the deepest. All the drawers 21, 22 and 23 are constructed in a similar manner. Each drawer is provided with a front wall 24 which normally is formed of the same material as the side walls 12 and 13. The front wall of the drawer extends in a vertical direction. A flanged tub 26 having its top side open forms a part of each drawer and is secured to the front wall 24 of the drawer. The tub 26 is formed of a suitable material such as plastic. It is secured to the front wall by screws 27 which extend through the wall of the tub and are threaded into the front wall 24. Spacers 28 are provided between the tub 26 and the front wall 24 and are positioned in such a manner that the screws 27 extend through the same.

Means is provided for slidably mounting the tub 26 of each drawer in the enclosure 1 l and consists of conventional slide assemblies 29 which are provided on opposite sides of the tub. In general, such slide assemblies consist of an outer track 31 which is secured to the side walls 12 and 13 by screws 32. An inner track 33 is provided which carries ball bearings 34 which are adapted to travel in the outer track 31. A plurality of plastic wheels 36 are rotatably mounted on the inner track and are engaged by brackets 37 secured to the side walls of the tub 26 by rivets 38.

When the drawers 21, 22 and 23 are pushed all the way in, their front walls 24 are in vertical registration with each other and are flush with the front of the enclosure I l.

A drawer pull 41 formed of a suitable material such as aluminum is provided for each of the drawers. The drawer pull is particularly unique. It is extruded and extends transversely or laterally of the drawer and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends the entire width of the drawer. The drawer pull is mounted on the top surface of the front wall of the door and as viewed in cross section is provided with a base portion 41a which is generally planar and is adapted to lie on the top surface of the front wall 24 of the drawer. The base portion 41a is provided with a depending tongue-like portion 41b which extends into an elongate slot or recess 42 which is open through the top side. The tongue 41b is provided with outwardly inclined pointed portions 41c at its lower extremity so that when the tongue is driven into the recess, it seats in the wood of the front wall and is retained therein. The drawer pull 41 is also provided with a forwardly extending portion 41d which extends forwardly from the front surface of the front wall of the drawer. The portion 41d is generally planar and extends in a direction which is parallel to the portion 41a. The portions 41d and 41a are joined by a very short downwardly depending portion 4le..The drawer pull 41 is also provided with a downwardly depending portion 41f which depends downwardly from the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion 41d. The downwardly depending portion 41f is generally vertical. However, as can be seen in cross-section in FIG. 5, this portion 41f is shaped in such a manner that it decreases in width in cross-section in a downward direction so that the lower extremity of the same is curved. The front surface of the downwardly extending portion 41f in cross-section has an arcuate configuration so as to give a pleasing appearance to the drawer pull.

The drawer pull 41 is provided with a recess 43 extending longitudinally of the drawer pull. The recess 43 opens-upwardly in the portion 41d and has a generally planar lower surface. The recess 43 is adapted to receive a removable insert or strip 46 which will be retained within the recess 43. The insert or strip 46 can be formed of any suitable material such as plastic and can be secured to the door pull by suitable means such as anadhesive applied to the back side of the strip 46. With the present invention, the strip 46 can be color coded or, in other words, the strip itself can be formed of a particular color. In addition, the strip can carry printed indicia. The color and the printed indicia both can give an indication of the contents carried by the drawer. It is envisioned in the present invention that the color coded strips provided in the drawer pulls will add to the overall attractiveness of the cabinet construction. Thus, the three drawer 21, 22 and 23 each can have a different colored plastic insert to indicate to the user of the same" the contents of the drawers. In addition, the colored plastic strip can carry printed indicia for those who are not familiar with the color coding. Thus, there is provided two means for identifying the contents of the drawer: one, the color coding of the strip carried by the drawer, and the other is printed indicia carried by the same strip.

A decorative trim is provided for the cabinet and consists of strips 51 formed of a suitable material such as extruded aluminum. These decorative trim strips 51 each consists of a base portion 51a which generally has a bottom planar surface 52 and is adapted to mount on the frontal extremities of the side and bottom walls as shown particularly in FIG. 2. The base portion 51a is provided with an outwardly extending tongue-like portion 51b which is adapted to be mounted in a recess 53 provided in the side walls 12 and 13 and the bottom wall 16 of the cabinet. The tongue portion 51b is provided with additional outwardly inclined pointed portions 51c which are adapted to engage the wood of the side wall to securely retain the trim on the side walls and bottom wall of the drawer. The base portion 51a is provided with a planar vertical surface 54. The strip also includes a forwardly extending portion 5 1e which extends outwardly and forwardly from the front surface of the side walls and bottom walls of the enclosure. The forwardly extending portion Sle is provided with a vertical planar surface 56 which extends at right angles to the surface 54. The forwardly extending portion is also provided with a vertical planar surface 57 which is adapted to lie adjacent to the front wall of the drawer when the drawer is in a closed position as can be seen in FIG. 6. The base portion 51a and the forwardly extending portion 51c are both provided with an arcuate or curved surface 58 which extends from the planar vertical surface 54 to the planar vertical surface 56. This surface 57, as can be seen from FIG. 6, is generally curved inwardly from the surface 54 and then extends in a generally diagonal direction toward the surface 56.

As can be seen, the decorative trim strips 51 extend the entire length of the side walls 12 and 13 and across the bottom wall 16 and cooperates with the door pulls to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the cabinet.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided a cabinet construction which has many desirable features in addition to giving a very aesthetically pleasing appearance. The decorative trim strips 51 in combination with the drawer pulls give a very pleasing appearance to the cabinet. The drawer pulls are constructed in such a manner that they can be readily grasped by the user of the same. In addition, as pointed out previously, the door pulls are color coded and also are applied with printed indicia to indicate the contents of the drawer By drawer. the inserts carried by the drawer pulls be of different colors a pleasing appearance can be given to the cabinet. The inserts are of a type which can be readily changed. It can be seen that the cabinet construction is of a type which can be readily used in offices of dentists, doctors and the like.

I claim:

1. In a cabinet construction, an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side, at least one drawer slidably mounted in said enclosure for movement through said front side between open and closed positions, said drawer having a generally vertical front wall, a drawer pull mounted on the front wall of said drawer and extending laterally of the drawer, said drawer pull extending forwardly away from the front wall and along substantially the entire length of the front wall, said drawer pull in cross section having a base portion secured to the front wall of the drawer and a forwardly extending portion extending forwardly from the front surface of the drawer and a downwardly depending portion adjoining the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion, said forwardly extending portion having a horizontally disposed recess formed therein extending laterally of the drawer for substantially the entire length of the drawer pull, said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having upper surfaces which are exposed, said base portion being provided with a depending tongue-like portion intermediate the ends of the base portion, said base portion resting on the top surface of said front wall of the drawer and said tongue-like portion being seated in the front wall of the drawer the secure the drawer pull to the drawer, and an insert mounted in said recess and viewable with the drawer in both open and closed positions.

2. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein said base portion is secured to the top surface of the front wall of the drawer and said forwardly extending portion extends in a plane parallel to the base portion.

3. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein said downwardly depending portion is provided with an ar cuate convex-like front surface.

4. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of drawers are mounted in said enclosure, each of said drawers having a drawer pull parallel to the drawer pulls f the other drawers and with an insert therein of a color differing from the color of the inserts in the other drawer pulls.

5. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein each of said drawers includes a tub secured to the front wall and wherein the drawers are slidably mounted in the enclosure by slide assemblies secured to the tub and the side walls of the enclosure.

6. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 together with an exposed decorative trim mounted on the frontal portions of at least certain of the walls of the enclosure, said trim having a base portion and a forwardly extending portion, said base portion having a planar vertical surface flush with the outer surface of the wall on which it is mounted, said forwardly extending portion having a planar vertical surface extending at right angles to the vertical surface of said base portion, said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having an exposed generally concave-like curved surface which extends between the two vertical surfaces.

7. A cabinet construction as in claim 6 wherein said arcuate surface is inclined inwardly from the vertical surface of the base portion and then extends forwardly in a generally inclined direction until it meets the vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion.

8. A cabinet construction as in claim 6 wherein said base portion of said trim is provided with a tongue-like portion, said tongue-like portion being adapted to seat in the wall on which the decorative trim is mounted.

9. in a cabinet construction, an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced and parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side, means closing the front side and exposed decorative trim mounted on the frontal portion of said side walls, said decorative trim in cross section having a base portion and a forwardly extending portion, the base portion being adapted to rest against the frontal portion of the side wall on which the decorative trim is mounted, said base portion having a vertical planar surface flush with the outer surface of the side wall on which it is mounted, said forwardly extending portion having a vertical surface on said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having an exposed concave-like curved surface extending between said vertical walls.

10. A cabinet construction as in claim 9 wherein said curved surface is curved inwardly from the vertical surace of th base onion and xtends forwardl in an inclined direction to the vertical surface of t e forwardly extending portion. 

1. In a cabinet construction, an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side, at least one drawer slidably mounted in said enclosure for movement through said front side between open and closed positions, said drawer having a generally vertical front wall, a drawer pull mounted on the front wall of said drawer and extending laterally of the drawer, said drawer pull extending forwardly away from the front wall and along substantially the entire length of the front wall, said drawer pull in cross section having a base portion secured to the front wall of the drawer and a forwardly extending portion extending forwardly from the front surface of the drawer and a downwardly depending portion adjoining the forward extremity of the forwardly extending portion, said forwardly extending portion having a horizontally disposed recess formed therein extending laterally of the drawer for substantially the entire length of the drawer pull, said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having upper surfaces which are exposed, said base portion being provided with a depending tongue-like portion intermediate the ends of the base portion, said base portion resting on the top surface of said front wall of the drawer and said tongue-like portion being seated in the front wall of the drawer the secure the drawer pull to the drawer, and an insert mounted in said recess and viewable with the drawer in both open and closed positions.
 2. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein said base portion is secured to the top surface of the front wall of the drawer and said forwardly extending portion extends in a planE parallel to the base portion.
 3. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein said downwardly depending portion is provided with an arcuate convex-like front surface.
 4. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of drawers are mounted in said enclosure, each of said drawers having a drawer pull parallel to the drawer pulls f the other drawers and with an insert therein of a color differing from the color of the inserts in the other drawer pulls.
 5. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 wherein each of said drawers includes a tub secured to the front wall and wherein the drawers are slidably mounted in the enclosure by slide assemblies secured to the tub and the side walls of the enclosure.
 6. A cabinet construction as in claim 1 together with an exposed decorative trim mounted on the frontal portions of at least certain of the walls of the enclosure, said trim having a base portion and a forwardly extending portion, said base portion having a planar vertical surface flush with the outer surface of the wall on which it is mounted, said forwardly extending portion having a planar vertical surface extending at right angles to the vertical surface of said base portion, said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having an exposed generally concave-like curved surface which extends between the two vertical surfaces.
 7. A cabinet construction as in claim 6 wherein said arcuate surface is inclined inwardly from the vertical surface of the base portion and then extends forwardly in a generally inclined direction until it meets the vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion.
 8. A cabinet construction as in claim 6 wherein said base portion of said trim is provided with a tongue-like portion, said tongue-like portion being adapted to seat in the wall on which the decorative trim is mounted.
 9. in a cabinet construction, an enclosure having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, spaced and parallel top and bottom walls, a rear wall and an open front side, means closing the front side and exposed decorative trim mounted on the frontal portion of said side walls, said decorative trim in cross section having a base portion and a forwardly extending portion, the base portion being adapted to rest against the frontal portion of the side wall on which the decorative trim is mounted, said base portion having a vertical planar surface flush with the outer surface of the side wall on which it is mounted, said forwardly extending portion having a vertical surface on said base portion and said forwardly extending portion having an exposed concave-like curved surface extending between said vertical walls.
 10. A cabinet construction as in claim 9 wherein said curved surface is curved inwardly from the vertical surface of the base portion and extends forwardly in an inclined direction to the vertical surface of the forwardly extending portion. 